PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Goldie Herskowitz, Principal of Beth Chana School of Williamsburg, on Special Education Services in Private Schools
5:55:36
ยท
176 sec
Goldie Herskowitz, principal of Beth Chana School of Williamsburg, testified about the crisis in special education services for private school students during the 2024-2025 school year. She highlighted issues with the DOE's new PNI (Parent Notice of Intent) requirement and the resulting delays in students receiving necessary support services.
- Many students were denied services due to untimely or unclear PNI submissions
- Parents who didn't submit PNI correctly only received forms in December after signing away due process rights
- More than half the school year has passed, and many students are still not receiving mandated services
- The situation is causing irreparable damage to students' education, with many falling behind or failing
Goldie Herskowitz
5:55:36
Good evening.
5:55:37
Thank you for the opportunity to be heard.
5:55:39
My name is Goldie Herskowitz, the principal of Bethany School of Williamsburg.
5:55:43
As a principal, it's my responsibility to assist teachers in identifying children who may need help and guide the parents to seek the services to help them participate in class and succeed.
5:55:55
Unfortunately, the school year of 24, 25 was and continues to be a crisis.
5:56:00
A large percentage of our percentage of our students that received services in the past were unable to obtain these services this year due to some changes at the DOE.
5:56:10
It is important to note that these students require vital support in school to help them keep up in class and not fail through.
5:56:17
This year, DOE started to enforce that the parents have to submit a timely PNI.
5:56:23
Otherwise, they were were denied from receiving a p four form.
5:56:27
The DOE did not mail the PNI, and many parents were unaware that they were required to submit it.
5:56:33
In addition, the criteria for the PNI was vague.
5:56:36
Parents did not get any response from the DNI from the DOE if the PNI was accepted, which led parents to believe they submitted it timely.
5:56:46
Unfortunately, when parents wanted to to secure a provider for their child in August, they were caught by surprise that the DOE did not forward them the p four form because of an untimely PNI.
5:56:58
Some parents, by pure luck, did submit submit the PNI correctly and received the forms, while others did not.
5:57:05
Moreover, those parents that the PNI was not accepted from the DOE only received the p 4 and RSA in late December.
5:57:14
Only after they signed a waiver that they will not go for due process.
5:57:20
Today, more than half the school year has passed and countless parents are still awaiting the p four form resulting in these students still not receiving the support they require.
5:57:31
Thankfully, the kids that already received the forms were set up with providers and getting their mandated services.
5:57:38
The situation in my school is heartbreaking.
5:57:40
There is confusion and chaos, which is with each passing day, we witness students falling even more behind.
5:57:48
Many are failing through.
5:57:49
For many students, this is irreparable damage.
5:57:53
Others might need a long time to recuperate.
5:57:55
It's heartbreaking to watch the children struggle and the parents desperately attempting to to provide their kids with the necessary support.
5:58:04
I and other school representatives lead with the DOE to fix the system.
5:58:09
Children in private schools are legally entitled entitled to special ed services.
5:58:14
I beg this committee that has oversight to look into this issue and demand fairness for our children.
5:58:20
I'm sure you all agree that there is a moral obligation to assist every child to succeed.
5:58:25
The DOE ought to restore the services and rights for our children.
5:58:29
Thank you for your time and attention to the issue.